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Unread 10-15-2009, 05:04 PM   #13
Michael Zeleny
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LPA sights claimed to fit the SIG P210 are indeed marketed abroad, as witness their periodic appearance on Egun.de. Likewise, ProMag magazines claimed to fit the SIG P210 are marketed stateside. Evaluate these claims accordingly.

A few years back I was able to buy new old stock 120mm P210 barrels online for around $200 apiece, or $350 for the 150mm barrel assembly. Today, fair prices for the same parts are upwards of $800 and $1,300, respectively. While retail prices are lower in Europe, the costs of importing a single part regulated by European law and ATF import division alike are prohibitive.

Here is the latest barrel I am bringing in, won in the latest auction by Hermann Historica:
Quote:
Los Nr.1786 SIG Mod. 210-6 mit Wechsellauf, im Karton, Kal. 9 mm Para, Nr. P79608. Nummerngleich. Spiegelblanker Lauf, Länge 120 mm. Mikrovisier. Sportkorn. Hinten verschraubtes Sportschloss. Vollständige originale Brünierung. Schwarze Kunststoffgriffschalen. Brüniertes Magazin. Fabrikneu. Im Originalkarton mit Wechsellauf im Kal. 9 mm Para ohne Nummer, Beschuss 1977, zwei kompletten Schließfedern, Magazinfüller, Ersatzmagazin, einem Paar neuen Nussholzgriffschalen, Bedienungsanleitung und Anschussscheibe von 1978. Erwerbsscheinpflichtig. Zustand: I. Limit: 1100 EURO -- bought at 1900 EURO + 21%.
This lot comprises a boxed and fully papered, new old stock, Swiss and German proofed SIG P210-6 SN P79608 with a heavy frame, milled trigger, and micrometer sights, from the series exemplified in Doebeli, at p. 82, accompanied by a new old stock unnumbered, Swiss and German proofed 120mm barrel in 9mm Para, two new recoil springs, a spare magazine, and old style, grooved walnut stocks. Fischer's latest lot 741, SN P76538 was comparable at 2,720 Euros, whereas Lot 742, SN P79675 at 2,560 Euros, came from the same series. Add 400 Euros for the barrel and 60 Euros each for the stocks and the extra magazine, and you top out at the final price of 3,240 Euros. With Hermann's buyer premium running at 21%, this comes to about 2,680 Euros in the hammer price. So I was ready to bid 2,400 Euros. I think I did well, buying the gun below the going market rate and getting the spare parts thrown in for free. Its very limited production run and its contemporaneous likes are considered to be the best ever.

This barrel is going into cold storage in my safe. In the normal course of events, I do not expect either to install it in a gun, or to sell it on the open market. The only way it might leave my custody in my lifetime would be via a very friendly trade to a fellow collector. Most of the remaining new old spare part stock is subject to similar conditions. For example, while unnumbered spare slides are known to exist at the army depot level, my Swiss friend has been unable to procure one for his collection, ranked among the most comprehensive worldwide. Draw your own conclusions.

As an aside, Hermann Historica is one of the few German sellers willing and able to export to the U.S. It took me many years to find an export agent for purchases made elsewhere in Germany. I am not sharing this find with anyone else, except as a major personal favor.
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